Wildfire

Good News Bad News

Elliot and Liv took the clothes and the few stuffed animals to Cody's room and placed them on the dresser while he was crashing his trains. "We'll be watching a movie in case you want to join later," Liv said sweetly. They walked to the couch and decided on a family friendly movie to pass the time. 

They planned on some pizza delivery for dinner, so it was an easy night. As the evening progressed and more movies were crossed off the list, they chose the Titanic this time. Liv loved the movie and Elliot wanted the chance to bring up this morning to her. When it came time for the sex scene, Elliot cleared his throat. 

"Liv," he whispered, being mindful of Cody in his bedroom. "Can we talk about this morning?"

She tore her eyes from Leonardo DiCaprio's bare chest long enough to look a little freaked out. However, she stuffed some hair behind her ear and cleared her throat. "It was part of the assignment. It won't happen again," she started to stammer. 

Elliot stopped her with soft shushing. "That's the thing, I want it to happen again. Because if it did, I can cherish you right. I don't want it to be an assignment." 

Liv thought for a long moment. She couldn't believe what he was actually saying. All these years of crushing behind his back. He was now asking for -- what? "So, you're asking me is what?"

He licked his lips thoughtfully. "That you will be mine," he said with a hopeful grin. 

Blinking back a few tears, she let out a chuckle. "Mom." Liv quickly wiped her eyes and turned. 

"Yeah, Cody?" She knew he was probably hungry. 

"I'm hungry." He shuffled his feet around as if he was embarrassed. 

Liv got up and Elliot paused the movie right as Jack and Rose were locked behind the gate almost drowning. They didn't need to give him nightmares about ghost ships. Liv and Cody went to the kitchen where some take out menus were laying. Liv grabbed the phone and they started ordering some pizza with whatever toppings Cody wanted on it. 

They ate and watched another family movie while they ate, Cody on the floor enjoying his three different types of pizza. Liv and Elliot sat a little closer on the couch while they nudged each other's hand every now and again with a smirk. The movie was confusing for Elliot and Liv. A group of animals going on a trip to find a son then they end up crashing a ship and finding the son's mother that died a long time ago. So were they all dead? And the son, he was screaming DADDY over half the movie. 

Cody seemed to like the movie though, which was fine with Elliot and Liv. He seemed to be happier than he was when they first got home. After they were all done with their pizza, Liv took the plates to the trash can and tossed everything away. She was the one that suggested using paper plates. Knowing Elliot, he wanted to use regular plates and do dishes, but this was faster. "Cody, you want a nice glass of milk before we give you a bath?" LIv called, pouring a glass for herself. 

"No," he answered, walking over to the kitchen and twirling around with a happy smile. 

Elliot watched him, smiling himself. He seemed a lot happier and Elliot hated to end his happiness. They'd have to tell him the reason why they were there and get his side of things. Go through court and all the evidence. No kid should have to go through that. Elliot leaned to grab the remote and paused the movie. It was nearing the end anyway and the movie was very odd. 

Liv took Cody to the bathroom where they'd spend around thirty minutes taking a bath and talking about the day. Elliot went to the bedroom to finally change into his pajamas. His phone beeped in the night stand. Cragen had texted asking if he could call at this hour. He texted back that Liv was giving Cody a bath for around thirty minutes so yeah. 

The landline started to ring, and Elliot jogged out to answer it, making sure it was Cragen and not Zitnaker. "Elliot, how was the doctor today?"

"Cody made an outcry statement. I told the doctor the basics of the situation and told him to call you," Elliot explained. 

"Yeah, the doctor called my cell phone and told me everything. We will wait until Friday, it's only two days away. We'll get you wired and make the drop and then once you leave we will make the arrests so they don't suspect you," Cragen told him. 

Elliot nodded into the phone before remembering that it was a phone. He rolled his eyes at himself and scoffed. "Yeah, that sounds good. So we just have to be a couple until Friday or Saturday morning?"

There was silence on the other end. He knew that he could have worded things another way, but his mind was wondering to the fact that he and Liv didn't have much more time as a fake couple. They'd have to go back to just being partners out in the open. He would have to go back to Kathy. KATHY! He wanted to kill himself right now. 

He cheated on Kathy, his wife. She's never done anything wrong to him. She's raised four kids, raising a fifth for him, and he wants to parade around with Liv like a love lorn teenager. He sat on his bed and put his head in his free hand with a groan. "Elliot, you and Liv were never a couple," Cragen whispered as if speaking to a child. 

He's heard that voice before. He and Liv have used it on many molested children before. "I --"

"I know, but you can't," Cragen said. "Be here tomorrow for the money and we will talk."

They hung up after confirming the time and Elliot fiddled with his phone. "Gerald!"

Liv came in the bedroom with Cody following. "Cody wants to say good night," she said as she watched Cody walk slowly over. He's gotten less shy with small glimmers of hope that Elliot won't do anything to him. 

His small frame wrapped around Elliot's shoulders. "Good night dad," he said. 

"Good night, Cody," Elliot said, kissing Cody's forehead. 

Liv lead him to his room where she read him a story and tucked him in. Elliot was still in the same position when he was in when she left him. "El, what's wrong?" She went to sit beside him and pat him on the back. 

He cleared his throat and kept staring at his cell phone. "We have two days until we go back to normal." Liv's face changed three times. Shock. Happy. Then Sad. She had no idea which one to stick to. 

"Really?" She asked, hiding her emotions. 

"Liv, talk to me, maybe we can continue this once the assignment's over. I'd love a chance with you," Elliot whispered gruffly. 

Tears were trying to fall, but Liv blinked them back. She didn't respond, but she kissed his cheek and then went to the bathroom to take a shower herself.